The Rock-‘n-Roll ride of 2013-10-24

25Oct

I’m doing this report not because I earned the right (nobody did and nobody volunteered), but because it was so nice to be back after a four week layoff.

Eight riders, including Tharien to increase the average beauty of the group, assembled in the parking area of the Moo mall on a coolish October evening with no rain in sight, but a bit of wind. As I was unsure about my fitness, I planned on a 25km ride and informed the riders, but nobody complained. In the end we did 28km and again nobody complained.

Since it was a long time since we had done the real Cruiser, we spent some time to find the trail which we did after a short bundu bash. We made it safely past the "grave" that landed me in hospital earlier this year and at the top we took the path to the Plant Park, crossed Nellmapius and continued to the Mieliemuur downhill RUSH which we tackled as a speed zone. The next speed zone followed soon afterwards up to the second turn-off at the left. Unfortunately I had to disqualify the first three because they stuck to the tar, claiming to not have heard the warning that they should ride next to the tar 🙂

Having had some problems reigning in the youngsters going up the road, I granted them another speed zone going up the steep hill towards Rietvlei dam. As we had a few first-timers, we deceived them in sprinting to the "Light at the Top" before going down the Mineshaft.

Bat Tunnel had a surprise water pool at the exit, but nobody got too wet as far as I know. We then proceeded to the lower part of the "Trail that Eric shall name" with a snack-stop thrown in. Freakin Woof has lost most of it’s rocky features, but a few still remain. I suppressed the thought of going down Puffadder and opted for the Holy Trail instead. Python was another speed zone followed by the Tour de Tar to finally give the guys and girl with too much fitness a bit of a workout.

To round off the single tracks for the night, we chose going up Big Dipper. My half-hearted offer to go up to the reservoir and down Dirt Rider hill, was voted out and we returned directly back to the Moo Mall where we arrived at 21h30.

That was another enjoyable evening on the dirt and if you missed out, come join the Xtra ride next week!